Commerce Department Launches Inquiry on Steel Products from Korea

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The U.S. Department of Commerce has started an investigation. This is about certain steel products. These are from the Republic of Korea. The investigation is to see if these steel products are avoiding taxes. These taxes are called antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD). These taxes are on steel from Korea.

Nucor Corporation and Steel Dynamics, Inc. asked for this investigation. They think the steel products from Korea are finished in Thailand. Then, these products come to the U.S. This may be avoiding the taxes on Korean steel.

Details About the Investigation

The investigation started on April 2, 2026. This is called a circumvention inquiry. The Department wants to know if the steel products finished in Thailand are really from Korea. It also wants to know if these products should count under the Korean steel orders.

What the Inquiry Will Look For

The inquiry will check if the products are finished in another country. They will see if the work done in Thailand is minor. They want to know if the main parts come from Korea.

The Department will also look at things like:

  • Investment in Thailand
  • Research and development in Thailand
  • How much of the steel is made in Thailand
  • If the parts from Korea are a big part of the final product’s value

They also want to prevent any evasion of the duties.

How the Inquiry Will Work

The Department will select producers in Thailand. They will use data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Comments on this data should be sent within seven days after the Department places the data on the record.

Next Steps and Timing

The Department aims to make a preliminary decision in 150 days. A final decision will follow in 300 days. They might stop the inquiry earlier if they find enough information.

In conclusion, the Department of Commerce is thorough in its investigation. They want to make sure no one is unfairly avoiding taxes on Korean steel products.


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